“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

Romans 3:23

Jesus gave the example of four different ways the Word of God may or may not be received in one’s heart and life (in the parable of the seed planted in the four different soils in Matthew 13). Look at one of those ways. We can understand that some hear the Word, but that it falls upon the stony ground and Satan snatches it away. That stony ground is much like a hardened heart. God’s Word was never implanted in that heart to grow and change the life because that person did not receive the Word; the Word was not able to save his soul. “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1: 21). The engrafted word can be understood as the implanted Word of God.

What is that Word that must be received? “1. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). One must hear and believe in the Gospel message (the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus) in order to receive salvation. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). It is available to anyone who will turn from his or her own way and believe.

What must be acknowledged? “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). All are guilty of sin, and there is a penalty that must be paid. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). Most importantly, one must understand that God provided Jesus who paid the penalty for us — if only we would receive. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Just as the people in Jesus’ day were told of their sin and were called to repentance, the same call is extended to us today. What response does God require? “8. But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:8–10).

What are we to do with that information? “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near” (Isaiah 55:6).

What important thing must one do after seeking and calling upon the Lord? “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon” (Isaiah 55:7).

Have you called upon the Lord while he is near?